The A-list job leading the movie industry’s top voice now belongs to former Sen. Chris Dodd, who is set to become the new chairman and chief executive officer of the Motion Picture Association of America.

The former five-term Connecticut Democrat will assume the new role on March 17, the MPAA announced on Tuesday, replacing interim leader Bob Pisano.

The Dodd selection caps off what has been a lengthy search by MPAA for a successor that could fill the starlet shoes of former leaders Jack Valenti and Dan Glickman. The association initially failed to land the first candidate for its leading role – former Sen. Bob Kerrey – in a process that led some industry leaders to express to POLITICO concern that the lobbying group had lost some of its Washington clout.

Others considered for the roughly $1.2 million-a-year gig included a slew of names familiar to a Beltway audience: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, attorney Antoinette C. Bush, former Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) and former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.).

Choosing Dodd marks something of a strategic political move for MPAA: The former Connecticut senator maintains many friends in the upper chamber, which he just departed. This is seen as an asset for MPAA, which is likely to see top issues like intellectual property reform remain in the political spotlight this year.

Dodd, for his part, said in a statement Tuesday he was “excited about representing the interests of the industry.” He added, “Protecting this great American export will be my highest priority.”

“In several important ways, taking this step represents a continuation of my work in the Senate, from advancing the interests of children and families and creating and safeguarding American jobs to the protection of intellectual property and the expansion of international trade,” Dodd continued.

Top studios also praised Dodd’s selection on Tuesday.

“Senator Dodd is a battle-tested leader whose reputation as a strong leader on major issues facing this country has prepared him to serve as the Ambassador for the movie business. I, along with my colleagues, agree that he was worth the wait,” Fox Filmed Entertainment Chairman Jim Gianopulos said in a statement. He also praised Pisano for doing an “excellent” job during the transition.